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With Ron and my mother Irene

When I moved to Atlanta in 2004, I was fortunate to meet Ron Lazarus, who became a rock in my world. It was with a sad heart that I learned of his passing this month, but I am so grateful to have known him. This blog is dedicated to the memory of a man who was a true force in Atlanta catering and events, and a personal mentor and friend.

With Scott Ardolino, Ron founded Affairs to Remember Caterers in 1977, which quickly became much more than a caterer and is now simply known as Affairs to Remember. Nearly 30 years later, I relocated to Atlanta from Denver, and it was Ron who gave me one of my first big opportunities with my new company WM Events. I was brought on as the contract designer for Affairs.

I questioned claiming the title of “event designer” at the time – wasn’t I a planner? Ron had an answer.

“Honey, if they want you to design, design,” he said.

This visionary, who could predict trends in style, color and design, boosted my confidence many times throughout the years. He once told me I had golden hands that created beautiful things.

As a friend, Ron was kind, encouraging, direct and loving. I treasure the time I was able to spend getting to know him. The photo above of Ron, my mother and me is one I hold dear. They have both passed on, but their spirits remain with me.

The following is excepted from Ron’s obituary and offers a glimpse of the lovely person he was:

Ron Lazarus died on June 5, 2021 in Atlanta. In Ron’s own words: Lasting for a lifetime. Our journey continues in business and devoted lasting friendships forever. Building a successful business, Affairs to Remember Caterers, these 43 years has brought us the joys of so many wonderful friends and employees along with bringing joy to clients on their special life moments. Seeing the growth of a young business into a respected entity in the Atlanta hospitality market, managed by wonderfully committed and creative individuals is a joyful and satisfying tribute to so many. I leave this earth a grateful man. I have experienced great love in my life. My spouse of 22 years, John Wise, has always been by my side in sickness and in health. We have shared so very much in our time together – true love. My dear friend Scott Ardolino by my side in our life’s journey – true friendship and love. Friendships and love for decades. Special friends have made life a beautiful experience of living. 

– William

Atlanta is known for many things – streets named Peachtree, Coca-Cola, and street art. This city is also home to several top professional sports teams, and it’s been a thrill to watch the Atlanta Hawks advance in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. In addition to the Hawks being our hometown basketball team, at WM Events we have a special relationship with the team built upon memories from Hawks events we have helped produce over the years.

To send good vibes their way, we’re taking a look back at some of our most memorable times with the Atlanta Hawks. Go Team!  

In early 2020, the first-ever Spades Tournament was hosted to engage the community. This co-branded event with the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm was held at the William Walker Recreation Center.

The Meet the Atlanta Hawks event held at State Farm Arena welcomed 1,200 premium season ticket holders and members to an exclusive night with the team!

The exclusive Taste of the Hawks event was the first event ever to take place in The Cellar at Southern Exchange. We had a great time creating high-end basketball-theme décor and cleverly naming fare to match. Pick and Roll Sushi, anyone?

When the Hawks and State Farm Arena hosted the Grand Opening of the Hawks Concert Club, we had the pleasure of designing décor for this premium seating area that was part of the arena’s $200 million transformation.

Ever since William Fogler launched WM Events in Atlanta more than 15 years ago, he has designed, produced, and executed small- and large-scale events, including corporate, social, and nonprofit. He is known for his love of gardening, fashion, and his dog Missy. But what many people don’t know is that while running a successful full-service event planning and design firm, William has consistently made giving back to the community a top priority.

On May 23, William was honored for his ongoing efforts to effect positive change, when he received the Dale Riggins Humanitarian Award from the Allie Awards Board of Directors. A Legacy Award, it recognizes individuals who truly make a difference to those in need and whose effects give the Atlanta special events industry its true impact and high profile. Nominees were required to be of high moral and ethical stature and exhibit outstanding professionalism in their service to the special events industry and the community at large.

Shepard Convention Services introduced the Dale Riggins Humanitarian Award in 1994 as a tribute to, and in memory of, its valued employee Dale Riggins, who made great contributions to the special event industry. This prestigious honor is awarded each year to an individual who donates time, talent, effort, and expertise to community services both within our industry and in our community. The recipients of the award are among the most honored luminaries in the events industry.

William certainly fits this description!

Since arriving in Atlanta in 2004, William has supported nonprofits and the Atlanta community in many ways, giving of his time and expertise, as well as contributing financially. A board member of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Hughes Spalding, for several years, William has also served the organization in additional ways. In 2019, he dedicated a family lounge in the sickle cell transfusions area at CHOA Hughes Spalding. Each year, he leads a book donation program for the on-site library, providing books himself and holding a drive to collect them from friends and colleagues. More recently, he launched an annual LEGO donation for the hospital. Having new books and toys is crucial because the young patients at the hospital may have compromised immune systems that keep them from playing with used items.

Again focusing on helping the youth, William donated a playground to the Downtown Atlanta Sheltering Arms childcare location in 2019. Each year, he honors vets by being a Purple Heart Golf Tournament sponsor. Previously, William served on the board at the Museum of Design Atlanta.

During the 2020 social justice awakening, William launched a series of Cultural Conversations, inviting friends and colleagues to learn about and discuss the issues in a safe space. William hired experts to lead these conversations, which were available at no cost to attendees.

A recently launched organization that received significant support from William since its infancy is SwemKids. This Atlanta-based nonprofit provides swimming lessons and water-safety programs to children through schools free of charge to change the disparity of drowning rates among the Black community. Understanding that nearly 7 out of 10 Black children do not know how to swim and that middle school Black children drown 10 times more than others, William assisted SwemKids in getting off the ground by donating graphic design, marketing and public relations services to the nascent organization. He took the SwemKids founder on networking calls, introducing her to potential donors and sponsors.

When COVID-19 caused schools and public pools to close, derailing the SwemKids water-safety classes, William opened his home pool to the organization. Measuring 24 by 40 feet, William’s rectangular pool offered plenty of space for social distancing and allowed SwemKids to continue its mission during summer 2020. Not only did the kids make waves at William’s pool, SwemKids was able to teach some of the parents too! Because the lessons took place outside of a school, SwemKids charged a fee, but William again stepped in to provide scholarships to children for whom cost was an issue.

These are the types of actions that demonstrate William’s moral and ethical statute. He leads with kindness, and everything else falls into place.

If he had only been honored for his humanitarian efforts, there would be plenty to celebrate. But our visionary leader received a second accolade from the Allie Awards Board of Directors. The same evening, William was nominated for another Legacy Award – the new Innovator Award, launched to acknowledge the trailblazers and trendsetters of the hospitality and event industry.

During 2020, William launched “re:EVENT-ion,” a new arm of WM Events dedicated to digital, distanced, and virtual events.

Although the WM Events team had been incorporating technology, video, set design, and other features into events for many years, the re:EVENT-ion of the company’s offerings took these aspects in new directions. More than just stating that the company could produce virtual events, William and his team worked to ensure the events would be successful, engaging, and meaningful for the hosts and attendees. Virtual programs need to go off without a hitch, so pre-recorded and live features are intermingled. Providing guests with the opportunity to engage means more than a chat box – it could mean features like gamification, interactive mixology lessons, or pre-event deliveries. Throughout the re:EVENT-ion of special events, William and the WM Events team have continued to innovate new features to provide clients with successful, entertaining events that make guests feel safe and connected whether physically together, virtually linked or a combination of both.

Congratulations to William Fogler for being recognized as an innovative entrepreneur and a true humanitarian!

Make a list of life’s most stressful activities, and moving will appear somewhere near the top. So when our client was tasked with transferring their Memphis headquarters to Atlanta, WM Events was brought on board to welcome leadership to the new digs. The premise sounded good- but keep in mind that this move took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hosting 40 guests took a lot more spatial planning than ever before. We also got to flex our newly strengthened hybrid event muscles because anyone unable to attend had the opportunity to participate virtually. 

The Plot

The plan was for the client to relay information to the team through presentations and small group sessions during two days on-site. The new team of Executives and Directors were meeting each other for the first time (with a mask on) so a little bit of networking and teambuilding was baked into the run of show. Service Masters needed to get everyone on board and excited about the new location and welcome new team members. Additional meetings for the executive team needed to be arranged. And of course, everyone had to eat!

The Set

While we had a wonderful space to work with, their new office was like a big empty house that had remnants from the previous occupants and none of the possessions of the new owners. There were some chairs, which we arranged in a socially distanced pattern facing the presentation screen.  An existing highboy table and stool served as the podium for speakers. We brought in graphics to add a little branding to the walls and windows.

Peeking through offices and meeting rooms, we found one large monitor to use, but we brought in the rest of a full audio-visual package, as well as everything needed for live streaming to the off-site guests. Surprisingly, that package included WiFi because it hadn’t been set up yet! 

The Catering

Working with the building caterer for some meals and our friends at Affairs to Remember for others, we planned for a socially distanced outdoor dinner. Our favorite addition was the Mini Mezze Board featuring chef’s assorted cheeses, charcuterie, nuts, fruit, cornichons, and sundry crackers) presented on a personal, wooden cutting board. Each guest was then able to choose an elegant to-go dinner to take home or to the hotel, choosing from Herb Fired Salmon, Champagne Dijon Chicken, a Garden Picnic or Mustard Glazed Beef Tenderloin.

The Run of Show

Our team planned this successful hybrid event in just two weeks. After completing the setup, we managed the flow of the event to keep the presentations on time and coordinate the various elements. We handled some on-site problem solving related to the newness of the space and pop-up requests as the client realized they needed more items- like whiteboards or wine. But we took these expanded requests as a sign that everyone was digging in, communicating with each other, and warming up to the idea of the new headquarters.

At WM Events, we love a good scroll! Since 2010, Instagram has been delighting us – and 1 billion of our closest friends – with photos and videos depicting everything from scenic landscapes to canine musicians. In fact, there is so much to see, it can be hard to know what to focus on. Our team got together and nominated a few of our favorite Instagram accounts in case you are looking for something new and delightful to give your attention to. 

Here are some of our top Instagram recommendations:

Art & Design 

We’re wild for the time-lapse videos from fiber artist Trish Andersen, the fabulous event designs of Luis Dinelli Decor, and the home renovation style of Galey Alix.

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Food, Glorious Food 

From Italy with love, Luca Donofrio shows us how to make the best pasta, and where would we be without the New York Times Cooking account? Probably pretty hungry.

Awareness

Staying plugged in to Black culture and business news is important to us, so we follow Official Black Wall Street and Embracing Black Culture. 

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Fashion & Photography 

We keep an eye on the latest runway production trends with Bureau Betak and the latest in sustainable fashion news on Fashinnovation. We love how photographer Alex Stemplewski, a.k.a. Alexander the Great, creates amazing photoshoots with everyday people, and for some urban eye candy, we turn to Paris Je t’aime, the official account of the Paris Tourist Office. 

DIY All Day

We couldn’t complete this list without a couple of options for getting hands on, so we will end by mentioning how much we enjoy doing 5.min.crafts just because and fixing up the abode with Jeff Thorman of HomeRenovisionDIY. 

Happy scrolling, everyone! 

Planning parties takes on extra meaning when you get the chance to produce the 60th birthday celebration of one of your best friends. And it takes on extra challenge when said birthday takes place one year into a global pandemic (you know the one).

Our WM Events team was no stranger to working with Philip, we had planned his Free Spirit Wedding just a few years ago. That meant, we knew that his expectations for entertaining and delighting guests would be high. He brought us in to make sure his virtual birthday party felt as much like being together in person as possible.

Philip took care of the guest list and invitations and distributed the Zoom link for the party. From there, William and team managed the production. We put together a one-and-a-half-hour event, combining a live feed and pre-recorded videos, and timing everything to the minute so that guests stayed engaged from start to finish.

After a live set from DJ Mike Zarin, we kicked off the event with some how-to Zoom slides, explaining the basics for those who needed it. Then it was time to party!

Music and Photos

Sixty years is a long time, and we wanted to honor the many decades of Philip’s life. So we started by gathering and organizing hundreds of photos from the year Philip was born through the present. We strategically placed these throughout the run of show, separating them by era. During the presentation of each photo montage, DJ Mike Zarin played music from the decades being shown.

Toasts and Spotlights

Combining pre-recorded and live footage makes for a seamless event with little room for error like bad WiFi or missing speakers. Our team wove together recorded video toasts from Philip’s mother and husband, with live features. Throughout the party, attendees communicated with each other and the guest of honor through the chat box. They also had the opportunity to offer a video toast. We changed the Zoom view to highlight the speaker for these live honorifics. 

Fun tip: Post-party, the host can get a digital file with all of the chat comments to read at leisure.

Mixing it Up

Another fun feature we recorded was a mixology session that offered the guests a way to engage with the event. Philip demonstrated how to make his favorite drink – a Rose Kennedy – and were able to mix along. 

Boosting the Entertainment

DJ Mike Zarin stayed with us, performing various sets throughout the event. We added another entertainment element with pianist Robert Ray, who played some of Philip’s favorite tunes while the guests got the opportunity to sing and dance along.

There was more singing – “Happy Birthday,” of course – and those who were with Philip brought out a cake with more than a few candles. The celebration closed with a dance party, during which we spotlighted households on the Zoom view to make it feel more like everyone was celebrating together on the dance floor. 

Happiest of birthdays, Philip!

At this point, who hasn’t tried to host a Zoom party … and had it fall flat? When it was time for a couple to celebrate the pending arrival of their first child, they didn’t want to leave anything to chance. We were thrilled to step in and design the set, create the run of show, manage the platforms, and keep the party going at their virtual Serengeti baby shower. That left our clients free to be the center of attention and celebrate one of life’s most exciting milestones.

The Set

To transport the guests of honor and attendees to the Serengeti, we fashioned a sundown vision of an African grassland. With BoHo chic styling, we created a movie-worthy backdrop from floor to ceiling for the live-streamed event.

We started with a graphic natural fiber rug and surrounded it with pampas grass in glass vases. A smart gold sofa sat atop the rug, offering a royal nod for the couple’s seating. Behind this focal area, we placed a white custom-cut backdrop with a geometric pattern to enclose the space and decorated it with air plants. Thematic sculpture added to the atmosphere.

The final touches came from large stuffed animals of the Serengeti and a balloon garland across the ceiling. Throughout, golden accessories added more glamour to the set.    

The Tech

WM Events consulted on the run of show for this fantasy baby shower and selected the right technology to make it a seamless affair. We incorporated a dynamic LED wall that scrolled through many scenes of the Serengeti to add to the atmosphere.

By bringing in three cameras, we enabled a variety of angles, which boosted production value. We had multiple Zoom operators and audio engineers on set to keep the “show” running smoothly. The hosts only had to relax on their gold sofa and enjoy the day.

The Party

In planning the run of show, we included a variety of elements that brought the virtual event to life, like a DJ, a live emcee, and videos from the couple’s romantic history together. We added talk-show style interviews and special guest appearances from close relatives.

What is a baby shower without games? We concepted and managed those too, allowing the event to be interactive for all guests. Some of our favorites include How Well Do You Know Mommy & Daddy? and The Price is Right. After an exciting reveal of the baby’s name, we wrapped up the fun by launching breakout rooms. We rotated the couple through the various rooms allowing them to interact with guests in smaller groups and on a more personal level.

This fun afternoon showed how engaging and intimate a virtual event can be when you incorporate a beautiful set, the right technology, and thoughtful interactive elements.

Here comes another holiday, and we’re still living through a global pandemic. Does that mean we should skip it and focus on more serious tasks like sanitizing surfaces and sourcing new face masks? According to academic research and The New York Times, absolutely not. Studies have shown that special occasions and celebrations can help break up the monotony and give us touchpoints in unusual times.

And what could be better to celebrate than love in all of its forms?

We had all the inspiration we needed to plan the Cocktails + Kisses event at Atlantic Station with enough left over to come up with several ways to make a special Valentine’s Day celebration at home or even virtually.

This February, remember, all you need is love. And the vaccine.

Cocktails + Kisses

Our client Atlantic Station created a safe way for lovers and friends to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a limited-capacity happy hour featuring a DJ, selfie stations, Instagrammable décor and specialty drinks. By scheduling guests for specific timeslots, they are able to control the attendance numbers and ensure social distancing. They brought in WM Events to make it all look lovely.

We started with the front room décor, where a red carpet and 6-ft. red hearts greet guests as they walk into the event space. Red and white drapery was paired with a twinkle-lit tunnel to the main event space, where guests are met by check-in at a swirled acrylic highboy table and cocktail-themed decorated shelves.

In the main space, we repeated the acrylic tables so that the red theme took centerstage. Red chandelier bulbs created an ambient atmosphere, and red uplights cast a moody glow. We also added red track lights and red roses in giant cylinder vases, along with white urns with white branches for contrast. Love-themed neon lights and stainless sphere garlands on the drapery created a photo-worthy backdrop. The window received a hanging vase with red roses, crystals and lights, while a neon strip added light to the display.

At-Home V-Day Celebration

Getting out of the house for a cocktail might be a great way to celebrate. Or you could enjoy a date night in with your significant other or special someone. Turn up the heat with red roses and lots of them. Wherever there are flowers, surround them with candles. We believe you can’t have too many of either. In fact, why not spend the evening lit solely by candlelight? And since you’re staying in, stay all the way in, as in bed, where you can play games, sip champagne, and nibble on chocolate.

Virtual V-Day Celebration

Make a loved one far away feel near when you take advantage of today’s many virtual capabilities and plan a special evening together. The ideas below work well for groups of far-flung friends or families too. 

Dinner Date: Order from the same restaurant or cook the same meal together. Sit back and enjoy virtual conversation while you partake in your special dinner and perhaps a glass of champagne.

Movie Date: Host a Netflix watch party for two! Stream the same movie at exactly the same time. Enjoy it with a glass of champagne.

Virtual Mixologist: Learn about and sample new cocktails with the help of a virtual mixologist. This Valentine’s date idea brings new meaning to having a drink together.

Grab Your Galentines

If you typically whoop it up with your gal pals on Valentine’s Day, don’t let this tradition end. Host a small, very small, possibly masked, Galentine’s Night In. Go for all shades of red and pink with this micro-party. It can show up everywhere from your décor to your glasses and wrapped chocolates. We also love bold red accents like Twizzlers popping out of a candy dish. Definitely do not forget the champagne, which in this case, can be pink.

Valentine’s Day Décor

Even if you spend Valentine’s Day alone this year, don’t let that stop you from adding lovely decorations to your home. A dark February night is the perfect time to add strands of lights, plush fabrics, and fun neon signs. Who knows, the cutie across the street might take note of the celebratory atmosphere emanating from your windows and decide to knock on the door. At the very least, buy yourself a big bouquet of flowers … and some champagne. It’s 2021, and you’re worth it!

XOXO – WM Events

Times have changed since the Four Tops quartet thrilled audiences with their Motown sounds. But what has remained the same is the emotional connection that music provides. When it was time to recognize the 85th birthday of Duke Fakir, the only living member of the original group, we wanted to bring that sense of joy and soul to the celebration. The only catch – in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it had to be a virtual party.

To make the event special for this music legend, we assisted with distribution of the e-invitations and pre-event mailers, streamed a live virtual event with an emcee, and incorporated recorded messages and performances. The best part? The 50 guests were able to join from all over the country. Plus, we recorded the entire event for posterity or re-watching on future birthdays.

Invitations and Pre-Event Gifts

We started by developing a pre-event mailer and an enticing invitation, creating a graphic identity for electronic and printed versions, then managed distribution of the digital invitation. Handling RSVPs allowed us to respond to any questions guests had about the format of the event or how to use the technology. This proved especially important because this was a surprise party – the client didn’t need to get a lot of phone calls that might make the guest suspicious!

Prior to the event, the client sent out gift boxes to all attendees. We assisted with identifying the perfect inclusions like custom-labeled splits of champagne, custom-labeled CDs and a printed version of the invitation. This mailer ensured everyone could participate in the champagne toast during the event, creating a sense of togetherness.

Party Production

We’ve worked with high-profile clients before but knowing that the party’s special guest had a long history in entertainment, we needed to ensure the video production would delight even this show biz expert.     

Our client provided us with a variety of collateral, including photographs, recorded messages from well-wishers, and past performances featuring the guest of honor. It’s not every day that we get to include messages from Frankie Valli, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, and former Supreme Mary Wilson, to name a few, and we certainly got a thrill out of it. We worked these photos and recordings seamlessly into the event schedule and interspersed them with live moments and plenty of music. Everything was consistently branded with the golden color palette.

The emcee DJ Vince Adams kept the celebration on track following our customized Run of Show. In the age of virtual events, it is important to keep a concise run of show with theatrical highs and lows and to definitely not go on too long. The event concluded with a thoughtful toast to Duke and the singing of “Happy Birthday.” With time for socializing afterwards, the full event lasted 1.5 hours, and each moment brought smiles, laughter, and a few happy tears. Happy 85th to Duke and thank you for the music!

Approaching the New Year with a sense of expectation and possibility is nothing, well, new. But this year, that excitement takes on heightened significance, as 2020 has been a particularly challenging year, which is putting it mildly. We don’t think we are alone in stating that we are counting on 2021 big time.

In honor of flipping the calendar, we polled our WM Events team and friends to find out just what everyone is looking forward to in 2021. It was supposed to be a Top 10 list, but once we got started, we found a couple more items to add.

Hugging

This just has to top the list. Elbow bumps are fun, but nothing beats getting and giving a big bear hug. We’ll even settle for a one-armed, pat-on-the-back type of hug at this point. According to science and NBC News, hugs provide a viable mental and physical health boost. We could have told them that, but they did the research and have the data to back it up. We can’t wait to wrap our arms around 2021 and get back to hugging friends, acquaintances and probably even strangers!

Traveling, Especially Abroad

COVID-19 sure put a damper on travel. From road trips to flying, we did less of it in 2020 and had to rethink how to enjoy it in many cases. Whether a city’s museums were closed, or restaurants offered take-out only, much of what makes travel fun was off the menu. We can’t wait to hit the road at a moment’s notice. And we’re looking forward to hopping on a plane for international exploration when our biggest worry is whether we packed enough socks for a week instead of enough masks and filters. We can’t wait to eat a croissant in Paris, enjoy the beaches of Puerto Rico or get our yoga on in India.

Dining Out

We have endured a year of take-out, restaurant delivery and cooking at home. Some of us have braved restaurant patios, taken a seat at a socially distanced indoor table or given bubble dining a whirl. But it’s just not the same, is it? We look forward to dining out with confidence in 2021, supporting the restaurants we love, and enjoying food the way it’s meant to be. 

Ditching Extreme Disinfecting

Throughout the pandemic, information about how to safely shop, eat and live continued to change. Although it has been determined that surface contamination is not the main way coronavirus is spread, for many people, erring on the side of caution has meant months of washing groceries before putting them away. As if searching for toilet paper wasn’t bad enough, after a trip to the store or acceptance of the Instacart order, it was time to pull out a cloth and start wiping. We won’t miss this practice in 2021.

Rolling with Homies

Before 2020, we hadn’t given much thought to the idea of pods, but when we were told to stay apart, some of us “podded up” with particular friends or family members. Children joined learning pods to enable at least some type of social interaction. We are grateful for those we have been able to see, but we look forward to expanding our social circle and just hanging out with all kinds of friends again – dude from the gym, mom from lacrosse, book club buddy, D&D players – we’ve missed all of you!

Lipstick Dah-ling….

If the face mask has become a fun new way to accessorize, it has also left some of us yearning for the opportunity to wear the most meaningful of makeup. We’re talking about lipstick. From Chanel red to MAC’s Ruby Woo, we are counting the days until we can once again taint our lips without staining our mask. The same goes for most of our 2020-truncated makeup routine, other than lashes, of course.

Getting Physical

True, COVID-19 did not stop us from exercising, and many people embraced home workouts, while others took to the pavement or the trails. Even though we found new ways to stay fit, we look forward to getting back in the gym. This typical New Year’s resolution will take on new meaning in 2021.

Seeing the Smile on People’s Faces

It can be challenging to tell whether someone in a mask is smiling at you or glaring. Maybe they are just squinting in the sun. No matter how hard we have tried to “smize,” there is nothing that beats seeing a big grin on someone’s face. (This is one reason some of us will enjoy putting on the aforementioned lipstick again.) In 2021, we might even start saying “good morning” to strangers on the street rather than move to the far edge of the sidewalk and look away.

Large Gatherings & Big A** Parties

We’ll be glad to see friends and hug strangers, but we also want to get together with hundreds maybe thousands of people at the same time not on Zoom. We await the return of festivals, concerts, parties, sporting events, mass celebrations, conferences, weddings and more. Dr. Fauci says it could be possible in 2021, and we are hoping he is right. We simply don’t want to go another year without the Harry Styles “Love on Tour.”

World Sporting Events

Speaking of large gatherings, we’re looking forward to the global sporting extravaganza that was rescheduled last year. Now planned for July and August 2021 and still taking place in Tokyo, the Olympics have our vote for best summer television marathon. We look forward to cheering for our favorite athletes, counting medals and trying to impress our family members with our knowledge of world flags.

Getting the Vaccine

To make most of the wonderful options described above happen, we’ll gladly raise a sleeve and get the coronavirus vaccine. We’ll think of it as protecting our loved ones as much as ourselves. Also, Bill Gates says it will help. 

Best wishes for a prosperous and happy New Year! What are you looking forward to in 2021? Let us know in the comments below!

As this totally insane year comes to a close, we would like to turn the page by reflecting on the positive things that have come out of 2020 for us. We believe that by showing gratitude and focusing on the silver linings of this unprecedented time, we will be propelled into 2021 with positivity, camaraderie, ingenuity and progress. 

Counting down to the new year, here are the top 10 things we are grateful for:

10.  Epic Clients – They started our year off with a record-breaking Q1 and fortunately have continued to bless us with opportunities through the year, including Awards Celebrations, Sales Conferences, International Events, a Lakeside Celebration, and a giant Parade.

9. William’s 50th – We had a great time celebrating this milestone with WM Events founder William Fogler and putting together our list of 10 things we love most about him. Spoiler alert: his spontaneity, his manners, his generosity, his sense of humor, and sense of fashion all made the list.

8. Re:EVENT-ion – Our pivot has brought us continued success and opportunities including the CVC Impact Awards, the Doosan National Dealer Meeting, and a Drive-thru Birthday Party for 6-year-old Nile.

7. Giving Back – William opened his swimming pool to SwemKids so that the nonprofit organization could continue its work eliminating barriers that keep Black children from learning how to swim and decreasing the disparity in drowning rates. We also helped Atlanta nonprofit Caring For Others provide COVID-19 relief during drive-thru food and clothing distributions.

6. Being Acknowledged by the Press – William was featured with SwemKids founder Trish Miller in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution for sharing his outdoor space with swimming students. WM Events news was included in industry outlets like BizBash, Special Events, Exhibitor, and Association Conventions & Facilities.

5. Recognition from Our Peers – We were thrilled when the TechBridge Digital Ball event “Lights, Camera Magic!” we designed won an Allie Award for Best Nonprofit Fundraiser!

4.   Getting Involved – This year, Americans and the world took a deeper look at racial and social inequality. We used our capabilities and resources to inform, educate, and support multiple social justice efforts. Internally, we hosted Culture Conversations, bringing in facilitator, coach, and historian Susan X Jane to open a dialogue around race and racism with our friends and colleagues.

3.  Our New Truck Design – In the fall, we spread some good vibrations all around the city by calling on Atlanta artist Yoyo Ferro to rev up our WM Events truck with colorful murals. We were thrilled with the color-popping cityscape and abstract garden disco he gave us. For 2021, we’re looking forward to adding similar pizzazz to our other vehicles.

2.  New Team Members – Our 2020 re:EVENT-ion meant adding new expertise to our offerings. And that brought us Jazmine King, our newest WM Events team member!

1.  Thriving! – There is general agreement worldwide that 2020 was a year like no other. At WM Events, we are thrilled that we boldly moved forward and will head into the next year with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to continue bringing life to every party.

Celebrating the Holidays in 2020

However you have traditionally celebrated the holidays, we’re guessing that this year, you’ll do it differently. We certainly will. If you are someone who can’t wait to celebrate Hanukkah with lots of family members or love to travel for Christmas, you are probably looking forward to a smaller and nearer celebration in 2020. For those New Year’s Eve diehards, you probably won’t need as many bottles for champagne for your much smaller party as you ring in 2021 (it can’t come too soon!).

Still, whatever the holidays look like this year, one thing that won’t change is our ability to celebrate them. We’ve put together some of our favorite ideas for making merry whether you are flying solo, celebrating with friends or whooping it up with family.

Solo Celebrations

If ringing in the holidays during the era of COVID-19 means going it alone, you can still make sure your surroundings are festive. Go all out with holiday décor and try some new tricks this year, too.

Whether you have a front yard or a front door, deck out that real estate with lights, wreaths, garland, bulbs and other elements that maintain a natural feel. You can incorporate real cuttings from trees and pinecones you source during outdoor rambles. Let your creativity shine for the benefit of your neighbors and passersby. Need some inspiration? Pinterest has got you covered.

Inside, it’s time to make your own floral arrangements with seasonal plants and flowers. When it comes to holiday arrangements, we like to incorporate a variety non-floral elements. Steal an ornament from your tree or cut a sprig of cedar. Add fairy lights for sparkle or decorate mini trees. Don’t forget to follow this important holiday rule: the more glitter the better.

Place your arrangements on tables, countertops and any flat surface available, then continue creating your winter wonderland by giving your mantel and staircase some attention. We love wrapping garland up stair railings, and we’ve been known to decorate these with balloons too. Even if you just hang one stocking from the mantel this year, there is much more you can do with this important area. Take inspiration from your home’s design, and style a mantel to match. These holiday mantel ideas from O Magazine show that the possibilities are endless.

One of our favorite ways to break out of the standard holiday décor this year is by rethinking the Christmas tree. Sure, you can still put up a natural tree or anything from a pre-lit spruce to a frosted pencil tree. But even if you do, why not go all out by also crafting your own version? There is no shortage of ideas for abstract Christmas trees, and we love these from Elle Decor!

Friendly Fetes

If you have the opportunity to celebrate with friends this holiday season, let the great outdoors be your guide. It’s the safest option during the pandemic, and we have found that there are plenty of festive outdoor activities to enjoy.

Take a hike – literally. Gather your besties and hit the trail. If you live in Atlanta like we do, there are many great hiking options for all ages and fitness levels. Urban hiking has only become more popular this year, so consider organizing an art mural stroll or a nighttime walk to check out all of the holiday lights in your neighborhood. You can always add sparkle to your holiday perambulating by passing out Santa hats or other festive holiday attire. Ugly sweater hike, anyone?

Depending on your leanings, outdoor activities that allow for social distancing can include those that are competitive (and offer a chance to wear flannel), for example sporting clay shooting somewhere amazing like Barnsley Resort or Foxhall Resort, as well as those that are more artistic, such as attending an outdoor production like the Alliance Theatre’s drive-in “A Christmas Carol” or strolling the “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

If drinking cocoa and toasting marshmallows sound more like your favorite holiday activity, you only need to take it outside to welcome friends. Gather around a firepit, share favorite holiday stories, and BYOB or BYOM (bring your own marshmallows). Make it more festive by stringing market lights above and gifting cozy blankets or pashminas. You might start a new tradition that will carry on even when indoor celebrations recommence.

Family Festivities

For the many folks who must enjoy family from afar, explore ways to make new memories and keep traditions alive via video. There are plenty of options that cater to all generations.

Start with games, which can help break the ice on awkward Zooms – you’ve had enough of those this year at work. Depending on the participants, something cerebral like North Pole trivia or a holiday words spelling bee might be the right way to get the party started. If many family members skew younger, a holiday-themed scavenger hunt offers an active option, or consider a pet dress-up contest holiday style – announce it in advance so all furry friends can be ready for their closeup.

Coordinated crafts are another fun way for families to enjoy the holidays separately together. Pre-deliver craft kits, maybe a gingerbread house, to each household, then get on Zoom together to make them. Everyone can share their results afterwards. Or choose something simple and old fashioned like stringing popcorn and cranberries to add a dose of nostalgia to this unusual time.

Many distant families enjoyed baking together over Zoom during Thanksgiving, and sharing family favorite dishes offers a way to maintain tradition. From latkes to fruitcake to cookies, you can cook, bake and decorate together even from separate kitchens. While everything is in the oven, open presents together so that even if you had to send your gifts in the mail, you’ll still get to see the joy and surprise they provide when they are received.

When it’s time to call it a night, grandparents can read favorite stories to the little ones over Zoom, making sure everyone will soon be nestled all snug in their beds.

Happy Holidays 2020 Style, everyone!